SHARON LAU: THE REWARDS OF AN M&A CAREER
Plus, how junior lawyers can stand out in the field.
BY MATHANGI ELANGOVAN
Being in the trenches is a surefire way of forming close friendships. Just ask Ms Sharon Lau, who has helped seal some of Singapore’s largest corporate mergers in Singapore’s history, including the formation of CapitaLand from Pidemco Land and DBS Land.
“It was crazy, we would work till 5am or 6am, get home, take a shower and come back at 9am to resume working,” says Sharon, recalling those days in the early 2000s. “I formed close friendships from that deal because we shared many such long nights in the trenches.”
“When you close a deal and move on to the next one, those friendships you formed during the deal will last for life and the bonus is sometimes that’s also how you land the next deal.
What’s unique about M&A is that unlike, say, a litigation matter, there is no winner or loser. If a deal falls through, it’s both sides who suffer. “That explains the copious amount of work both sides put into ironing out problems—and cooperating with one another,” says Sharon, now a partner at Latham & Watkins.
HOW JUNIORS CAN SHINE
M&A work can be a cut-throat arena. How can junior lawyers, who often handle the day-to-day matters of deals, stand out? Sharon offers these tips:
1. Speak up: Sharon is a strong advocate for voicing your opinion, no matter how junior you are. "Since you are in the trenches, you may know the matter better than the person who is supervising you," she advises. "Be respectful about it, but be sure to let your voice be heard."
Chuckling, Sharon recalls that she was one of those young lawyers unafraid to speak her mind—a trait she credits for shaping her into the lawyer she is today.
2. Think ahead: Throughout her career, Sharon has consistently aimed to think ahead of her current role. “As a mid-level lawyer, I'd anticipate like a senior associate; as a senior associate, I'd strategise like a partner,” she explains.
“This mindset ensures you're not leaving someone else more senior to you, to think about what to do next. You're stepping up and trying to think about everything you need to do to get the deal done.”
3. Tap on resources: Lawyers today have a wealth of resources to help them work better—don’t shy away from using them, says Sharon. She lists SAL’s new M&A guides, available for free on LawNet, as a go-to resource.
“These guides are useful, whether you’re in practice or even a student. It provides a comprehensive overview of transactions and key considerations to take note of; a great foundational resource.”
4. Demonstrate your uniqueness: When Sharon considers new hires, she values grit and tenacity in young lawyers but also an element of fun. “Many of the graduating students who apply to our firm have stellar academic results and promising portfolios, which is not much of a surprise,” she notes. “However, we spend long hours working together in teams so what truly stands out to me are candidates who have a unique perspective and know how to have fun. Work hard and play hard is my mantra so I look for like-minded individuals.”
More than just M&A
Fellow SAL members would be familiar with the long hours and grueling schedules that come with the job. How then do you carve out the time and space for a personal life? Sharon tries to make the little things count: for example, she cherishes the opportunity she has to drop her teenage daughters off at school in the mornings. “I feel blessed that my kids still want my point of view and seek my guidance.”
Beyond family commitments, Sharon sets aside "me-time" for her well-being. Regular CrossFit sessions provide not only physical rejuvenation but also a sense of community that enhances her happiness.
"For me, it's not just about achieving work-life balance; it's about finding harmony," Sharon reflects.
SHARON'S MENTORS
Michael Sturrock (Retired Partner of Latham & Watkins)
- Gained knowledge and guidance
- Admired his creativity and never saying no to ideas but always exploring new avenues to do deals
- Received affirmations and support for idea-bouncing
Ms Lim Mei (Allen & Gledhill)
- Admired her creative problem-solving and negotiation skills
- Inspired by her strong work ethic and intelligence
- Allowed her supervisees to take responsibility at a young age
Connect with Sharon Lau on LinkedIn.
All active legal research users on lawnet.sg can activate and access the newly launched M&A guides here
